BILL NUMBER: SB 1747	CHAPTERED  09/29/06

	CHAPTER  690
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  SEPTEMBER 29, 2006
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  SEPTEMBER 29, 2006
	PASSED THE SENATE  AUGUST 22, 2006
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 7, 2006
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  JUNE 14, 2006
	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 18, 2006

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Bowen

                        FEBRUARY 24, 2006

   An act to amend Section 15004 of the Elections Code, relating to
vote counts.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1747, Bowen  Elections: counting votes.
   Existing law provides that the county central committee of each
qualified political party may employ and may have present at the
central counting place or places, not more than 2 qualified data
processing specialists or engineers to check and review, among other
things, the preparation and operation of the tabulating devices, and
be in attendance at any or all phases of an election.
   This bill would instead authorize each qualified political party
and any bona fide association of citizens or a media organization to
employ not more than 2 representatives to be present at the central
counting place or places. The bill would also authorize the county
elections official to limit the total number of representatives to no
more than 10, as specified.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Section 15004 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

   15004.  (a)  Each qualified political party may employ, and may
have present at the central counting place or places, not more than
two representatives to check and review the preparation and operation
of the tabulating devices, their programming and testing, and have
the representatives in attendance at any or all phases of the
election.
   (b) Any bona fide association of citizens or a media organization
may employ, and may have present at the central counting place or
places, not more than two representatives to check and review the
preparation and operation of the tabulating devices, their
programming and testing, and have the representatives in attendance
at any or all phases of the election.
   (c) The county elections official may limit the total number of
representatives employed pursuant to subdivision (b) in attendance to
no more than 10 by a manner in which each interested bona fide
association of citizens or media organization has an equal
opportunity to participate. Any representatives employed and in
attendance pursuant to subdivision (a) shall not be subject to the
limit specified in this subdivision.